Tooth abcess

[tempusfugi]

How typical! I'm about to go away for a long planned for wedding celebration (not mine, I hasten to add)! Because I haven't done a great deal this year, as frankly not felt up to it, I have been looking forward to these celebrations for some time, especially since I'll be meeting up with a lot of old friends and acquaintances and adding a few days holiday, to the event, next week.

So....last night, I noticed that my gum was swollen, you know what it's like, I told myself it would be ok in the morning. Needless to say, it wasn't, in fact I have become more aware of it, as the day has gone on. I have been feeling 'under the weather' for some time, so am not surprised if this is an abcess on my gum. I'm not sure but think it probably is just that.

I've checked out previous posts on abcesses on the forum and I feel like I should get some anti-biotics to clear it up. My question is: is it ok to take antibiotics when on Pred (am pretty sure it must be) but do I need to increase my dosage of 11.5 mg or can I stay on that, while taking them?

I go away on Thursday so don't know how I'm going to get anywhere before then, but felt I must ask you good folks for your advice, whatever. Many thanks, in advance.😧

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Of course it is fine to take abx when on pred - and the sooner you get some, the better. Pred does make you more susceptible to infections so it is doubly important. How bad is it? Might it justify a 111 call?

[tempusfugi in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, PMRpro, I hadn't considered 111. I feel it justifies a call because I'm not registered anymore with a dentist locally and time is short. It's not painful but it needs seeing to, as you say.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to tempusfugi]

Emphasise the immunosuppression with pred ...

[tempusfugi in reply to PMRpro]

Will do, thanks, again. I see we have a Minor Injuries Unit at a local hospital (8 miles away and open 7 days a week). I could go there in the morning. Will have a think.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to tempusfugi]

Good idea

[Hopelessatbest]

I had a bad infection after dental work. Went onto Metronidazole with my steroids. You can’t drink alcohol and shouldn’t eat Bananas with them. Took three horrendous days to kick in. Get started on antibiotics asap.

[sennetta]

A mouth wash comprising cooled boiled water with a few drops of Lugol's Iodine used several times a day should give you relief quite quickly and probably negate the need for systemic antibiotics in the longer term. If you cannot get Lugols quickly enough (I buy mine on the internet - I don't know if pharmacies stock it - I've never asked).

Regular rinsing of the mouth with strongish saline solution (holding it over the affected area as long as possible) can also make a big difference. Make sure you don't swallow it though, salty water is a very effective emetic!

[Sillydogsmum]

Had a tooth abscees 7 weeks ago.If its not painful when you prod it and you have no toothache or tooth sensitivity it might not be an abscess but if you are going away really woukd be a good idea to take some antibiotics with you. As per PMRPro do be sure not to underplay symptoms and immunosuppression etcetera.

[tempusfugi in reply to Sillydogsmum]

Thanks to you all for your helpful responses. Much to my relief, when I woke this morning, the abscess (if it was that) had diminished. This is just as well, since I was told to contact my nearet Dental Urgent Care Centre which is in a different county to the one in which I live and would take 2 hours to get there, by public transport, which I generally use. Dentistry in my part of the UK is chronic. It's something I need to look into for future reference.